Results 8,061-8,080 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Alex White: That is pathetic.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Alex White: For the sake of the people facing searing debt I hope the proposals the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources mentioned over the weekend come to fruition. However, the Cathaoirleach will excuse me for expressing a certain amount of scepticism about that particular statement because it bears closer scrutiny. It refers to the setting up of an expert group, presumably to...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Feb 2010)

Alex White: In addition to Barnardos, a number of other bodies took the trouble to brief Members. The information they provided has proven extremely useful to Members as they consider the Bill. It is always of assistance when interested bodies take the time to prepare briefings, meet Members and share with them their experiences and also the difficulties they perceive in respect of the practical,...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I agree with those who have said they hope to see an agreement reached tomorrow in the North. It is in everyone's interests that agreement be arrived at through negotiations and talks this week. As we view what is happening in the North, it is appropriate to note the passing this week of a great Irish public servant who did much to shape our policy towards the North, Mr. Paddy McKernan. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Statements (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to talk about the promised inquiry that is to be instigated into the banking system and related issues that have brought us to this position. I have had the opportunity to read his speech but I did hear him deliver it, so I do not know if he spoke about whether the investigation of the commission - most people accept that the preliminary stages...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: There is clearly a very serious issue in the North in the context of the ongoing talks which, it is hoped, will continue this afternoon and this evening. It is perplexing for people to realise that on the substantive devolution of policing powers to the North, there seems to be a roadblock. We do not want to say anything here that will in any way interfere with or make life even for a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Alex White: First, I have no difficulty saying it is wrong and unacceptable that there should be strike action in such essential public services as air traffic control. My understanding of the position, from what I read in the newspapers, is that the union has indicated it is prepared to have this matter negotiated and dealt with in the Labour Court but in response the management has said the union must...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I join the other voices in welcoming and congratulating Senator Mooney back to Seanad Éireann. I wish him every success - I hope he will not take this personally - in the short time he will be here.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I congratulate him and his family on his achievement.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I hope everybody's stay here will be just as short as Senator Mooney's. That was not a personal remark directed at him. As regards the banks, Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole are absolutely right. It is extraordinary that we are not discussing the issue today. I ask the Leader to address it directly. I suspect he will say there is an issue about the availability of Ministers. We respect...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: -----without touching on the personal culpability of individuals because there are other places in which that matter should be dealt with. I am a strong supporter of those who say the criminal justice system is where criminal charges ought to be dealt with. However, this does not prevent serious politicians who claim to have credibility from having an inquiry into the lending practices of...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, I was not dealing with an amendment. I was speaking on the section.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Table 1 in section 2 states that the reduction is 10% "of remuneration". That is intended to mean 10% of all remuneration.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Then it should really state that. If we look at the rest of the Act, section 2(2) seems to suggest that a person is either covered under one or the other. Section 2(2) states: (2) Where the remuneration of a public servant is fixed by a relevant provision, then, subject to subsections (3) and (4), the relevant provision shall be taken to have been amended so that the remuneration is— (a)...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: That does not appear in the Bill. The Minister of State now tells me that this is the intention of the Government, but why is it not in the Bill?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: There is a manifest ambiguity. I will go back to section 2(2) to demonstrate that there is a clear ambiguity, if an ambiguity can be clear. The salary of the Taoiseach, the Ministers and the Ministers of State will be dealt with one way or the other, which is the clear intention of section 2(2). Part of section 2(2) states: (a) in the case of persons to whom Table 1 to this section...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Minister of State keeps saying things that do not answer the point I am making. If table 1 means what it states, the remuneration to which it applies is the emoluments that the Taoiseach and the other Ministers receive for their services as holders of the qualifying office specifically referred to in that table. It does not refer to any other emoluments. Table 1 states "Taoiseach"...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: How am I misreading it? The Minister of State should read it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I know that.